Photo credit: ableimes | Flickr

The mountains and ocean surrounding Vancouver attract eco-travelers from around the world.  But did you know that the city’s hotels are also earning an international reputation for being green?

Four Vancouver hotels were recently awarded an impressive Five Green Keys by the Green Key Eco-Rating Program.  Only 52 hotels worldwide enjoy this distinction, the highest possible rating for environmental stewardship.  This year’s Vancouver recipients are the Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Hyatt Regency Vancouver and Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.

So what does it take to join the exclusive Five-Key club?

Hotels are assessed in five main areas, everything from housekeeping to food and beverage operations.  Within these areas, detailed surveys evaluate energy and water conservation, indoor air quality, community outreach and more.  Around the world, 2,802 hotels participate in the program, though less than two percent can boast Five-Key credentials.

Photo credit: Gord McKenna | Flickr

Front and center among Vancouver’s green pioneers is the Fairmont Waterfront, a 489-room hotel situated along Burrard Inlet, with easy access to cruise ship terminals, restaurants and shopping.  The Fairmont Waterfront has earned international recognition for initiatives including a rooftop apiary that’s home to 500,000 honeybees, an herb garden whose fresh produce is used in the kitchen and groundbreaking practices in waste management and water conservation.

To learn more about Vancouver’s hotels and their eco-initiatives, visit the Tourism Vancouver hotel directory.

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